Solskjaer on Besiktas, Man United, Maguire & McTominay

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be 2,000 miles from Manchester, but his heart clearly isn’t. Now managing Turkish giants Besiktas, the former Manchester United boss opened up in a revealing interview with BBC Sport about his new life, enduring loyalty to United, and the pressures of managing in a city obsessed with football.

Solskjaer took the Besiktas job not for money, but for purpose. He sees the club as rich with history, community values, and untapped potential—traits that reminded him of the Manchester United he once knew. As he prepares for a crucial Istanbul derby against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, Solskjaer is focused on securing third place, which could mean a Europa League play-off spot—and a longer summer break for his players.

Despite the new role, Solskjaer remains deeply connected to United. Watching them flounder in the Premier League, sitting 14th at one point, is painful for him. “United is my family,” he says—clearly troubled by what he sees as a leadership and identity crisis at the club he once led.

In a surprisingly personal moment, Solskjaer reveals that only three players—Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, and Victor Lindelof—have reached out to him since his 2021 departure. For a man who brought a sense of care and culture back to Carrington, it stings.

Solskjaer openly questions the decision to sell Scott McTominay, now thriving at Napoli, and praises the now-disbanded “McFred” midfield partnership. “How you can sell Scott is beyond me,” he says, baffled by United’s recent transfer decisions.

Solskjaer will soon face Mourinho, the man he succeeded at Old Trafford, in one of Turkey’s fiercest rivalries. While their relationship had its spats—who could forget the infamous "feed your son" exchange in 2021—there’s a mutual recognition of the game’s high stakes. “Hopefully it will be one of Jose's bad nights,” Solskjaer smiles.

Reflecting on both his past at United and present at Besiktas, Solskjaer points to a universal truth in football: you need time and smart recruitment to build success. But, he notes, few managers today are given either.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be managing in Istanbul now, but his emotional ties to Manchester United still run deep. With Besiktas, he's looking for redemption—not just for himself, but for a club that reminds him of the one he once loved. As for United? He’s watching, quietly hoping they find their way again.

BBC Sport. "Striker Erik ten Hag Man United." April 28, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy0xrp9jxn0o.

Former United Manager with a few words for the English Giants